Optimized joint document review

ABSTRACT

A UI for presenting and reviewing a document is optimized based upon the type of computing device being utilized to present the document. One such UI includes a first pane showing a view of the document under review that is sized and formatted for display on a large-format display device. The first pane can also be utilized to emphasize a portion of the document. The UI also includes a second pane that includes indicators for each of the reviewers of the document. The selection of an indicator will cause a portion of the document being reviewed by the corresponding reviewer to be displayed in the first pane. The UI also includes a third pane that includes a scaled image of the document shown in the first pane. Selection of a portion of the scaled image causes the selected portion of the document to be displayed in the first pane.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/968,287, filed Dec. 15, 2010, and entitled “Optimized Joint DocumentReview,” which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Joint review of an electronic document often involves a single computerconnected to a large-format display device, such as a projector. Theprogram utilized to create the document, such as a word processingapplication program, is typically utilized to present and navigate thedocument under review. Document reviewers typically follow along withthe display of the document on the large-format display device. Inpractice, this leads to all of the document reviewers viewing exactlythe same content. Moreover, because the user interface provided by thedocument creation program is not optimized for a large-format displaydevice, the document as presented may be difficult to read.

Some document reviewers might also opt to open a copy of the documentunder review on their own computing device, such as a laptop computer.The review of the document by these reviewers, however, occurs in amanner that is disconnected from the review of the document by the otherreviewers. Consequently, the common joint review practices describedabove can lead to considerable manual navigation within the documentunder review, especially for long documents. Moreover, the userinterface provided by the document creation program may not beconfigured to take advantage of enhanced capabilities provided by eachreviewer's computing device.

It is with respect to these and other considerations that the disclosuremade herein is presented.

SUMMARY

Technologies are described herein for enabling the joint review ofdocuments. Through an implementation of the concepts and technologiespresented herein, documents can be reviewed jointly in an efficient andeffective manner. In particular, a user interface (“UI”) for presentinga document can be optimized based upon the type of computing devicebeing utilized to present the document. For example, a UI that providesfunctionality for document review may be customized for use onlarge-format display devices and other device types. Additionally,document navigation mechanisms may be customized with support fortouch-enabled display devices and gesture input, UIs for emphasizingportions of a document may be provided, and UIs may be provided foridentifying the portions of the documents under review by each reviewer.

According to one aspect presented herein, a group of people, who may bereferred to herein individually as “reviewers” or “document reviewers,”can jointly review an electronic document. A UI for reviewing thedocument can be provided that is customized based upon the type ofcomputing device that each reviewer is utilizing. For instance, uniqueUIs can be provided for desktop or laptop computers, tablet computingdevices, wireless mobile telephones, and large-format displays. Each UIcan be customized to take advantage of the available user inputmechanisms. For instance, the UIs may be optimized for touch input,gestures, and other types of input. Moreover, the location of eachreviewer within a document under review may be shared between thedevices, communicated to the reviewers, and utilized to assist indocument navigation.

According to another aspect, a UI is provided for joint review of adocument. In one implementation, the UI is configured for use on alarge-format display device, such as a large touch-enabled videodisplay. The UI includes a first UI element, such as a UI pane, showinga view of the document under review. When a large-format display deviceis utilized, the view may be sized and formatted for display on alarge-format display device. For instance, a font style and size may beselected that are appropriate for viewing the document from a distance.Additionally, pagination and other elements traditionally associatedwith a paper document might not be displayed in the view of the documentshown in the first UI pane. Conventional UI tools for editing a documentmight also be eliminated from the UI. The view of the document shown inthe first UI pane may be navigated utilizing touch input, gestures, orother supported UI mechanisms.

The UI might also include a second UI element, such as a second UI pane.The second UI pane might include indicators for each of the reviewers ofthe document. Each indicator might include data identifying thereviewer, an image of the reviewer, data indicating the type of reviewbeing performed (e.g. reading or editing), and an indication of the typeof device being utilized (e.g. a tablet or a phone). In oneimplementation, the selection of an indicator will cause a portion ofthe document being reviewed by the corresponding reviewer to bedisplayed in the first UI pane. In this manner, the indicators can beutilized to quickly navigate to the portion of the document under reviewby each of the reviewers. In alternate embodiments, one reviewer can“push” their location in a document to other reviewers, thereby allowingone reviewer to synchronize their location in a document to otherreviewers. Additionally, the view shown to each reviewer mightautomatically follow along with the location of another reviewer.

According to another aspect, the UI also includes a third UI element,such as a third UI pane, for enabling navigation of the document shownin the first UI pane in a manner optimized for a particular display sizeand input type. For instance, in one embodiment the third UI paneincludes a scaled image, such as a “thumbnail” image, of the documentshown in the first UI pane. Selection of a portion of the scaled imagecauses the selected portion of the document to be displayed in the firstUI pane. The UI might also be optimized for a particular display sizeand input type. For instance, on a large display, a visual thumbnailmight be provided in the manner described above that can be utilized toquickly navigate the document with simple gestures. On a smallerdisplay, such as a mobile telephone, the third UI pane might include amechanism for navigating between headings in the document rather than athumbnail. Other variations might also be utilized.

In other embodiments, the third UI pane includes a view of sections ofthe document. Selection of a section of the document in the third UIpane causes the selected section of the document to be displayed in thefirst UI pane. The third UI pane might also provide an indication ofrecent viewing or editing activity within the document by the reviewers.The third UI pane might also provided functionality for browsing byheading, figures, or other document elements. The view shown in thethird pane might also be utilized to navigate the document independentlyof the view shown in the first UI pane.

According to another aspect, the first UI pane can be utilized toemphasize a portion of the document. For instance, in one embodiment aportion of the document, such as a paragraph, can be selected in thefirst UI pane. In response to the selection of a portion of thedocument, the other portions of the document shown in the first UI panemay be obfuscated. For instance, the other portions of the document maybe “blurred” or “fogged” over, thereby rendering the other portionsunreadable. In this manner, the attention of the reviewers may befocused on a selected portion of the document.

The UI elements disclosed herein and the user experience provided forinteracting with those panes might also be customized based upon thetype of device utilized by each reviewer. For example, when asufficiently large display is available, each pane may be displayedseparately or also inline with the document being reviewed. On a mobiletelephone the panes may be displayed individually and UI elements may beprovided for allowing a user to navigate between the panes. It should beappreciated that although UI panes have been utilized herein to describevarious features, other types of UI elements such as “fly out” menus,overlays, and other types of UI elements and UI controls might also beutilized.

This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essentialfeatures of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended that thisSummary be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited toimplementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in any part ofthis disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a software and network architecture diagram showing oneillustrative operating environment for the embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 2 is a user interface diagram showing one illustrative userinterface disclosed herein for optimized document presentation andnavigation on a large-format display device, according to one embodimentdisclosed herein;

FIG. 3 is a user interface diagram showing one illustrative userinterface disclosed herein for optimized document presentation andnavigation on a desktop or laptop computer, according to one embodimentdisclosed herein;

FIG. 4 is a user interface diagram showing one illustrative userinterface disclosed herein for emphasizing a portion of a document,according to one embodiment disclosed herein;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing aspects of one illustrative processdisclosed herein for optimized document presentation and navigation forpresenting a document in a meeting, according to one embodimentpresented herein; and

FIG. 6 is a computer architecture diagram showing an illustrativecomputer hardware and software architecture for a computing systemcapable of implementing the various embodiments presented herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is directed to technologies foroptimized joint document review. As discussed briefly above, a UI forpresenting and reviewing a document is disclosed herein that isoptimized based upon the type of computing device being utilized topresent the document. One such UI includes a first pane showing a viewof the document under review that is sized and formatted for display ona large-format display device. The first pane can also be utilized toemphasize a portion of the document. The UI also includes a second panethat includes indicators for each of the reviewers of the document. Theselection of an indicator will cause a portion of the document beingreviewed by the corresponding reviewer to be displayed in the firstpane. The UI also includes a third pane that includes a scaled image ofthe document shown in the first pane. Selection of a portion of thescaled image causes the selected portion of the document to be displayedin the first pane. Additional details regarding this UI and others willbe provided below.

While the subject matter described herein is presented in the generalcontext of program modules that execute in conjunction with theexecution of an operating system and application programs on a computersystem, those skilled in the art will recognize that otherimplementations may be performed in combination with other types ofprogram modules. Generally, program modules include routines, programs,components, data structures, and other types of structures that performparticular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Moreover,those skilled in the art will appreciate that the subject matterdescribed herein may be practiced with other computer systemconfigurations, including hand-held devices, multiprocessor systems,microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics,minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like.

In the following detailed description, references are made to theaccompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and which are shown byway of illustration specific embodiments or examples. Referring now tothe drawings, in which like numerals represent like elements through theseveral figures, aspects of a computing system and methodology foroptimized joint document review will be described.

FIG. 1 is a software and network architecture diagram showing oneillustrative operating environment 100 for the embodiments disclosedherein. The illustrative operating environment 100 shown in FIG. 1includes a number of computing devices that can be utilized by a groupof people, who may be referred to herein as “reviewers” or “documentreviewers”, to jointly review an electronic document 120. For instance,in the example shown in FIG. 1, a smartphone 110, tablet computer 112,and a desktop or laptop computer 114 are being utilized to jointlyreview the document 120. Additionally, in the example shown in FIG. 1, areviewer 104 is interacting with a large-format display device 102 inorder to review the document. Other reviewers might also be present atthe location of the large-format display device 102. The large-formatdisplay device 102 is driven by a large-format display controller 106.The large-format display controller 106 may be a computer systemconfigured appropriately for driving the large-format display device102.

As shown in FIG. 1, the large-format display controller 106, smartphone110, tablet computer 112, and desktop/laptop computer 114 are eachconfigured to execute an editing program 116. The editing program 116 isa program configured for creating and editing the document 120. As willbe described in greater detail below, the editing program 116 is alsoconfigured in embodiments herein for providing functionality forallowing the document 120 to be jointly reviewed by users of thelarge-format display device 102, smartphone 110, tablet computer 112,and desktop/laptop computer 114. According to implementations, theediting program 116 may be a program for creating and editing wordprocessing documents, presentation documents, spreadsheet documents, orother types of electronic documents. It should be appreciated thatdifferent versions of the editing program 116 can be executed on each ofthe devices shown in FIG. 1. The different versions may be configured tointeroperate in the manner disclosed herein.

In one implementation, a meeting server 108 is utilized to coordinatethe review of the document 120. In this regard, the meeting server 108may execute a meeting service 118. Through the use of the meetingservice 118, a meeting may be scheduled for reviewing the document 120.Appropriate invitations may be sent to the individuals that will bereviewing the document 120. The meeting server 108 might also provideother functionality for facilitating, scheduling, and managing adocument review meeting. It should be appreciated that while thedocument 120 is illustrated in FIG. 1 as being stored at the meetingserver 108, the document 120 may be stored in any location accessible tothe editing program 116. It should also be appreciated that theembodiments disclosed herein might be implemented without the use of themeeting server 108.

It should be appreciated that each of the computing devices illustratedin FIG. 1 may provide various types of user input mechanisms and variousoutput capabilities. For instance, the large-format display device 102may include touch input capabilities allowing the reviewer 104 toprovide input to the editing program 116 executing on the large-formatdisplay controller 106 by touching the large-format display device 102.In this regard, the editing program 116 might support the use of touchgestures to indicate various types of input.

The smartphone 110 might also support touch input, but typicallyincludes a small-scale display screen. In other embodiments, thesmartphone 110 might not provide touch input. The tablet computer 112might provide touch input on a medium-sized display screen and thedesktop/laptop computer 114 may or may not be equipped with touch inputand may provide a medium-sized display.

As will be described in greater detail below, the editing program 116provides a UI for presenting and collaboratively reviewing the document120 that is optimized based upon the type of computing device utilizedto present the document. For instance, in one implementation, a UI isprovided for document review that is customized for use on thelarge-format display device 102. In alternative embodiments, the UImight be customized for use on the smartphone 110, the tablet computer112, and the desktop/laptop computer 114.

As will also be described in greater detail below, the editing program116 executing on each of the devices in FIG. 1 may be configured toprovide an indication of the location within the document 120 currentlyunder review by a user of the respective device. UIs may be providedherein that identify the portions of the document 120 under review byeach reviewer and that permit easy navigation to the portions of thedocument currently under review. Moreover, UIs are provided that permitone reviewer to “push” their location in a document to other reviewers,thereby allowing one reviewer to synchronize their location in adocument to other reviewers. Additionally, the view shown to eachreviewer might automatically follow along with the location of anotherreviewer. Additionally, UIs will be described herein for emphasizingportions of the document 120 when used in a group review sessionsetting, such as through the use of the large-format display device 102.Additional details regarding these UIs will be provided below withreference to FIGS. 2-5.

It should be appreciated that although FIG. 1 illustrates four computingdevices executing the editing program 116, many other such devices mightbe utilized by the concepts and technologies presented herein.Additionally, it should be appreciated that while a single network 118is illustrated in FIG. 1 that connects the computing devices, many othersuch networks might be utilized. Moreover, although a meeting server 108and meeting service 118 have been illustrated in FIG. 1, it should beappreciated that the embodiments described herein are not dependent uponthe use of a meeting server 108 or a meeting service 118 to organize andfacilitate a review meeting.

FIG. 2 is a UI diagram showing one illustrative UI disclosed herein foroptimized document presentation and navigation on a large-format displaydevice 102, according to one embodiment disclosed herein. In particular,FIG. 2 shows a UI 200 suitable for joint review of a document on thelarge-format display device 102. In the particular embodiment shown inFIG. 2, the UI 200 includes three UI panes 202A-202C. The UI pane 202Aincludes a view of the document 120 that is sized and formatted fordisplay on the large-format display device 102. For instance, a fontstyle and size may be selected that are appropriate for viewing thedocument 120 from a distance. Additionally, the view of the document 120shown in the pane 202A is simplified to remove pagination and otherelements traditionally associated with a paper document. In this regard,the UI 200 also does not include conventional UI tools for editing adocument. In this manner, the UI 200 is focused on review of thedocument 120 rather than editing of the document 120.

The pane 202A may be utilized to navigate the contents of the document120. For instance, a touch enabled large-format display device 102 maybe utilized to make input into the pane 202A for scrolling the visibleportion of the document 120 up or down. As an example, a “swipe” touchgesture might be utilized to scroll the view of the document 120 shownin the pane 202A. Other types of gestures might also be made into thepane 202A to scroll the view of the document 120 visible within the pane202A.

According to one implementation, no editing of the document 120 ispermitted within the pane 202A. According to another embodiment, simpleediting functionality may be provided within the pane 202A, such asfunctionality for generating an ink drawing, highlighting a portion ofthe document 120, or inserting comments into the document 120. Ingeneral, it should be appreciated, however, that the pane 202A isconfigured in a manner so as to avoid inadvertent modification of thedocument 120.

As shown in FIG. 2 and described briefly above, the UI 200 also includesa UI pane 202B. The UI 202B includes indicators 204A-204C for each ofthe reviewers of the document 120. Each of the indicators 204A-204Cincludes an image 206A-206C of the corresponding reviewer, textindicating the type of review being performed (e.g. reading or editing),and an indication of the type of device being utilized (e.g. a tablet ora phone). For instance, the indicator 204A indicates that a reviewernamed “Joe” is reading the document 120 from his smartphone 110. Theindicator 204B indicates that a reviewer named “Jeff” is editing thesection of the document 120 shown in the pane 202A from his computer114. The indicator 204C indicates that a reviewer named “Nathan” isreading the document 120 on a tablet computer 112. It should beappreciated that while three indicators 204A-204C are illustrated inFIG. 2, more or fewer indicators may be shown in the pane 202B dependingon the number of individuals currently reviewing the document 120.Additionally, it should be appreciated that an appropriate user inputmechanism might be utilized to scroll the contents of the pane 202B whenthe number of indicators 204A-204C exceed the available space within thepane 202B.

According to one implementation disclosed herein, the indicators204A-204C may be selected in order to navigate the view of the document120 shown in the pane 202A to the portion of the document currentlybeing reviewed by the corresponding reviewer. For instance, theindicator 204A may be selected. In response there to, the portion of thedocument 120 shown in the pane 202A may be modified to show the portionof the document 120 currently being read by the user named “Joe”.Likewise, the indicator 204C might be selected in order to cause theview of the document 120 shown in the pane 202A to reflect the portionof the document 120 being read by the user named “Nathan” on his tablet112. In this manner, the indicators 204A-204C can be utilized to quicklynavigate to the portion of the document 120 under review by each of thereviewers.

It should be appreciated that, in alternate embodiments, one reviewercan “push” their location in a document to other reviewers, therebyallowing one reviewer to synchronize their location in a document toother reviewers. For instance, a reviewer utilizing a mobile telephoneto review a document could “push” their location in the document toother reviewers using desktop computers or other types of devices.Additionally, the view shown to each reviewer might automatically followalong with the location of another reviewer.

As also shown in FIG. 2 and described briefly above, the user interface200 also includes a UI pane 202C. The UI pane 202C includes a scaledimage 208, such a “thumbnail” image, of the document 120 currently underreview. The UI pane 202C might also include a bounding box 210 thatindicates the portion of the document 120 currently being shown in thepane 202A. The user may select a portion of the scaled image 208 shownin the pane 202C. In response thereto, the portion of the document 120corresponding to the selection made in the pane 202C will be displayedin the pane 202A. In this manner, virtually any portion of the document120 can be quickly navigated to.

In one implementation, the pane 202C also includes a traditional scrollbar 212 in the event that the scaled image 208 exceeds the availablespace in the pane 202C. The scroll bar 212 may be utilized to scroll theview of the scaled image 208. The pane 202C might also include a UIcontrol 214 for modifying the font size of the view of the document 120shown in the pane 202A, a UI control 216 for hiding the pane 202B, a UIcontrol for editing the document 120 in the editing program 116, and aUI control 220 for setting other options regarding the operation of theUI 220.

According to other embodiments, the pane 202C might include avisualization of sections or elements within the document 120. Forinstance, the pane 202C might include a visualization of the pages,headers, embedded content, comments, sections, or other elements withinthe document 120. By selecting any of the visualizations within the pane202C, a user may quickly modify the view of the document 120 shown inthe pane 202A to reflect the selected portion of the document. In thismanner, the pane 202C may be utilized to quickly navigate to virtuallyany portion of the document 120. The pane 202C might also provide anindication of the portion of the document 120 currently being reviewedby each reviewer.

It should be appreciated that the UI elements disclosed herein and theuser experience provided for interacting with those panes might also becustomized based upon the type of device utilized by each reviewer. Forexample, when a sufficiently large display is available, each pane maybe displayed separately or also inline with the document being reviewed.On a mobile telephone the panes may be displayed individually and UIelements may be provided for allowing a user to navigate between thepanes.

FIG. 3 is a UI diagram showing one illustrative UI disclosed herein foroptimized document presentation and navigation on a desktop or laptopcomputer, according to one embodiment disclosed herein. In particular,FIG. 3 shows a UI 300 that may be displayed by a desktop/laptop computer114 or another computing device having an average-sized display screen.In the UI shown in FIG. 3, a UI pane 302A includes indicators 304A-304Cidentifying the reviewers currently reviewing the document 120.

The indicators 304A-304C may include images or text identifying theuser, the type of review in progress, the type of device upon which thereview is being performed, and other information. The pane 302A mightalso include UI controls for performing other review and related tasks,such as a UI control 306 for screen sharing, a UI control 308 forrequesting that other users open the document 120, a UI control 310 foropening a meeting, and a UI control 312 for opening other meeting files.

The UI 300 shown in FIG. 3 also includes a UI pane 302B. The UI pane302B provides a view of the document 120. The view of the document 120shown in the pane 302B may be navigated in a traditional fashionutilizing the scroll bar 316 or other user input mechanisms.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the view of the document 120 shown inthe pane 302B also includes the indicators 314A-314C. The indicators314A-314C identify the reviewers currently reviewing the document shownin the pane 302B. Additionally, the indicators 314A-314C provide anindication as to the portions of the document 120 currently underreview. For instance, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the indicator 314Bincludes an arrow pointing at the overview section of the document 120.This indicates that the user named “Jeff” is currently reviewing thisportion of the document 120. The indicators 314A and 314C include arrowspointing off screen. These indicators show that the users named “Joe”and “Nathan” are currently reviewing portions of the document 120 thatare below the portion shown in pane 302B. The indicators 314A-314C maybe selected in order to navigate the view of the document 120 shown inthe pane 302B to the portion of the document 120 currently under view bythe respective reviewer.

FIG. 4 is a UI diagram showing one illustrative UI disclosed herein foremphasizing a portion of a document, according to one embodimentdisclosed herein. In particular, FIG. 4 shows a UI 400 that may beutilized within the UI 200 or the UI 300 to emphasize a portion of thedocument 120. In the UI 400, a portion 402A of the document 120 may beselected. For instance, selection may be made utilizing an appropriatetouch-enabled input device. Once the portion 402A of the document 120has been selected, a request may be received in order to emphasize theselected portion 402A. An appropriate UI gesture or other type of userinput may be received in order to make such a request.

In response to receiving a request to emphasize the selected portion402A, the editing program 116 is configured to obfuscate the otherportions of the document 120 displayed in the UI 400. For instance, theportion 402B of the document 120 may be “blurred” or “fogged” over,thereby rendering the portion 402B of the document 120 unreadable.Additionally, the text size or other visual attributes of the portion402A may be emphasized. For instance, the font size of text within theportion 402 may be increased. Additionally, separators 404A-404B may bedisplayed to further distinguish the portion 402A of the document 120from the remaining portion 402B of the document 120. It should beappreciated that other types of visual effects might also be applied tothe non-selected portion 402B of the document 120. A UI control 406might also be displayed which, when selected, will cause the emphasis tothe portion 402A to be removed from the UI 400. In this manner, theattention of the reviewers may be focused on the selected portion 402Aof the document 120.

It should be appreciated that the user interfaces as illustrated inFIGS. 2-4 and described above are merely illustrative and that otherimplementations may be utilized. It should be further appreciated thatthe various UI components illustrated in FIGS. 2-4 and described abovemay be used in combination. For instance, the UI 400 may be utilized inthe UI pane 202A shown in FIG. 2 or the UI pane 302 shown in FIG. 3.Similarly, the indicators 314A-314C might be utilized in the UI pane202A or the UI pane 202C.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing a routine 500 that illustrates aspectsof one process disclosed herein for optimized document presentation andnavigation for presenting a document in a meeting. It should beappreciated that the logical operations described herein with respect toFIG. 5 and the other FIGURES are implemented (1) as a sequence ofcomputer implemented acts or program modules running on a computingsystem and/or (2) as interconnected machine logic circuits or circuitmodules within the computing system. The implementation is a matter ofchoice dependent on the performance and other requirements of thecomputing system. Accordingly, the logical operations described hereinare referred to variously as operations, structural devices, acts, ormodules. These operations, structural devices, acts and modules may beimplemented in software, in firmware, in special purpose digital logic,and any combination thereof. It should also be appreciated that more orfewer operations may be performed than shown in the figures anddescribed herein. These operations may also be performed in a differentorder than those described herein.

The routine 500 begins at operation 502, where the editing program 116is launched on the various devices utilized to review the document 120.For instance, as described above, the editing program 116 may belaunched on the large-format display controller 106, the smartphone 110,the tablet computer 112, and the desktop/laptop computer 114. Once theediting program 116 has been launched, the routine 500 proceeds tooperation 504.

At operation 504, the editing program 116 retrieves the document 120 tobe jointly reviewed. The routine 500 then proceeds to operation 506where the editing program 116 identifies the device type, display formfactor, and input devices of the device upon which it is executing. Oncethese items have been identified, the routine 500 then proceeds tooperation 508 where the editing program 116 provides a user interfacecustomized for reviewing the document 120 that is suitable for thedisplay and user input mechanisms provided by the identified device. Forinstance as described above, the UI 200 shown in FIG. 2 may be providedby the editing program 116 executing on the large-format displaycontroller 106. Similarly, the UI shown in FIG. 3 and described abovemay be provided by the editing program 116 executing on thedesktop/laptop computer 114. Additionally, various aspects of the UIsdescribed herein might be provided by a suitable UI on the smartphone110 and the tablet computer 112.

From operation 508, the routine 500 proceeds to operation 510. Atoperation 510, the editing program 116 executing on each device providesan indication to the other devices as to the location in the documentcurrently being reviewed. Each of the editing programs 116 receives thisinformation and provides an indication as to the location in thedocument of the other reviewers. For instance, the contents of the pane202B described above with reference to FIG. 2 may be provided indicatingthe location of reviewers within the document 120. Similarly, theindicators 314A-314C may be displayed showing the location within thedocument 120 currently being reviewed by the other reviewers.

From operation 510, the routine 500 proceeds to operation 512 where theediting program 116 also provides other UI features for navigating thedocument 120 and emphasizing portions of the document 120 for review.These features may be based upon the particular device type upon whicheach instance of the editing program 116 is executing. These featureswere described above with reference to FIGS. 2-5. From operation 512,the routine 500 proceeds to operation 514, where it ends.

FIG. 6 is a computer architecture diagram showing an illustrativecomputer hardware and software architecture for a computing systemcapable of implementing the various embodiments presented herein. Thecomputer architecture shown in FIG. 6 illustrates a conventionaldesktop, laptop computer, or server computer and may be utilized toexecute the various software components described herein.

The computer architecture shown in FIG. 6 includes a central processingunit 602 (“CPU”), a system memory 608, including a random access memory614 (“RAM”) and a read-only memory (“ROM”) 616, and a system bus 604that couples the memory to the CPU 602. A basic input/output system(“BIOS”) containing the basic routines that help to transfer informationbetween elements within the computer 600, such as during startup, isstored in the ROM 616. The computer 600 further includes a mass storagedevice 610 for storing an operating system 618, application programs,and other program modules, which will be described in greater detailbelow.

The mass storage device 610 is connected to the CPU 602 through a massstorage controller (not shown) connected to the bus 604. The massstorage device 610 and its associated computer-readable storage mediaprovide non-volatile storage for the computer 600. Although thedescription of computer-readable media contained herein refers to a massstorage device, such as a hard disk or CD-ROM drive, it should beappreciated by those skilled in the art that computer-readable storagemedia can be any available computer storage media that can be accessedby the computer 600.

By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable storage mediamay include volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable mediaimplemented in any method or technology for storage of information suchas computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules orother data. For example, computer-readable storage media includes, butis not limited to, RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other solidstate memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (“DVD”),HD-DVD, BLU-RAY, or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetictape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or anyother non-transitory medium which can be used to store the desiredinformation and which can be accessed by the computer 600.

It should be appreciated that the computer-readable media disclosedherein also encompasses communication media. Communication mediatypically embodies computer readable instructions, data structures,program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as acarrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any informationdelivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that hasone or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as toencode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation,communication media includes wired media such as a wired network ordirect-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF,infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of the any of the aboveshould also be included within the scope of computer readable media.Computer-readable storage media does not encompass communication media.

According to various embodiments, the computer 600 may operate in anetworked environment using logical connections to remote computersthrough a network such as the network 620. The computer 600 may connectto the network 620 through a network interface unit 606 connected to thebus 604. It should be appreciated that the network interface unit 606may also be utilized to connect to other types of networks and remotecomputer systems. The computer 600 may also include an input/outputcontroller 612 for receiving and processing input from a number of otherdevices, including a keyboard, mouse, or electronic stylus (not shown inFIG. 6). Similarly, an input/output controller may provide output to adisplay screen, a printer, or other type of output device (also notshown in FIG. 6).

As mentioned briefly above, a number of program modules and data filesmay be stored in the mass storage device 610 and RAM 614 of the computer600, including an operating system 618 suitable for controlling theoperation of a networked desktop, laptop, or server computer. The massstorage device 610 and RAM 614 may also store one or more programmodules. In particular, the mass storage device 610 and the RAM 614 maystore the document editing program 116, the meeting service 118, and/orthe other software components described above. The mass storage device610 and RAM 614 may also store other program modules and data, such asthe document 120.

In general, software applications or modules may, when loaded into theCPU 602 and executed, transform the CPU 602 and the overall computer 600from a general-purpose computing system into a special-purpose computingsystem customized to perform the functionality presented herein. The CPU602 may be constructed from any number of transistors or other discretecircuit elements, which may individually or collectively assume anynumber of states. More specifically, the CPU 602 may operate as one ormore finite-state machines, in response to executable instructionscontained within the software or modules. These computer-executableinstructions may transform the CPU 602 by specifying how the CPU 602transitions between states, thereby physically transforming thetransistors or other discrete hardware elements constituting the CPU602.

Encoding the software or modules onto a mass storage device may alsotransform the physical structure of the mass storage device orassociated computer readable storage media. The specific transformationof physical structure may depend on various factors, in differentimplementations of this description. Examples of such factors mayinclude, but are not limited to: the technology used to implement thecomputer readable storage media, whether the computer readable storagemedia are characterized as primary or secondary storage, and the like.For example, if the computer readable storage media is implemented assemiconductor-based memory, the software or modules may transform thephysical state of the semiconductor memory, when the software is encodedtherein. For example, the software may transform the states oftransistors, capacitors, or other discrete circuit elements constitutingthe semiconductor memory.

As another example, the computer readable storage media may beimplemented using magnetic or optical technology. In suchimplementations, the software or modules may transform the physicalstate of magnetic or optical media, when the software is encodedtherein. These transformations may include altering the magneticcharacteristics of particular locations within given magnetic media.These transformations may also include altering the physical features orcharacteristics of particular locations within given optical media, tochange the optical characteristics of those locations. Othertransformations of physical media are possible without departing fromthe scope and spirit of the present description, with the foregoingexamples provided only to facilitate this discussion.

Based on the foregoing, it should be appreciated that technologies foroptimized joint document review have been presented herein. Although thesubject matter presented herein has been described in language specificto computer structural features, methodological acts, and computerreadable media, it is to be understood that the invention defined in theappended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features,acts, or media described herein. Rather, the specific features, acts andmediums are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

The subject matter described above is provided by way of illustrationonly and should not be construed as limiting. Various modifications andchanges may be made to the subject matter described herein withoutfollowing the example embodiments and applications illustrated anddescribed, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of thepresent invention, which is set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method comprisingperforming computer-implemented operations for: displaying a first userinterface element comprising a view of a document; displaying a seconduser interface element comprising an indicator for each of one or morereviewers of the document; and providing a third user interface elementcomprising a scaled image of the document.
 2. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 1, wherein the selection of each indicator causes aportion of the document being reviewed by a corresponding reviewer to bedisplayed in the first user interface element.
 3. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the selection of aportion of the scaled image causes a portion of the documentcorresponding to the selected portion of the scaled image to bedisplayed in the first user interface element.
 4. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the selection of aportion of the document in the first user interface element causes thedisplay of portions of the document other than the selected portion tobe obfuscated in the first user interface element.
 5. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the third user interfaceelement comprises a view of one or more sections of the document, andwherein selection of a section of the document in the third userinterface element causes a portion of the document corresponding to theselected section to be displayed in the first user interface element. 6.The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the third userinterface element provides an indication of recent viewing or editingactivity within the document by the one or more reviewers.
 7. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein each indicator comprisesdata identifying a corresponding reviewer.
 8. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 7, wherein the data identifying a corresponding reviewercomprises an image of the reviewer.
 9. The computer-implemented methodof claim 8, wherein each indicator further comprises data identifyingthe type of review being performed and the device type being utilized bythe corresponding reviewer.
 10. The computer-implemented method of claim9, wherein the reviewers of the document are reviewing the document on aplurality of device types.
 11. The computer-implemented method of claim10, wherein the first user interface element, the second user interfaceelement, and the third user interface element can be navigated usingtouch input.
 12. A computer-readable storage medium havingcomputer-executable instructions stored thereupon which, when executedby a computer, cause the computer to: display a first user interfacepane comprising a view of a document; display a second user interfacepane adjacent to the first user interface pane comprising an indicatorfor each of one or more reviewers of the document; and provide a thirduser interface pane adjacent to the second user interface panecomprising a scaled image of the document.
 13. The computer-readablestorage medium of claim 12, wherein the selection of each indicatorcauses a portion of the document being reviewed by a correspondingreviewer to be displayed in the first user interface pane.
 14. Thecomputer-readable storage medium of claim 12, wherein the selection of aportion of the scaled image causes a portion of the documentcorresponding to the selected portion of the scaled image to bedisplayed in the first user interface pane.
 15. The computer-readablestorage medium of claim 12, wherein the selection of a portion of thedocument in the first user interface pane causes the display of portionsof the document other than the selected portion to be obfuscated in thefirst user interface pane.
 16. The computer-readable storage medium ofclaim 12, wherein the third user interface pane provides an indicationof recent viewing or editing activity within the document by the one ormore reviewers.
 17. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 16,wherein the reviewers of the document are reviewing the document on aplurality of device types.
 18. A computer-readable storage medium havingcomputer-executable instructions stored thereupon which, when executedby a computer, cause the computer to: displaying a first user interfacepane comprising a view of a document sized and formatted for display ona large-format display device; displaying a second user interface paneadjacent to the first user interface pane comprising an indicator foreach of one or more reviewers of the document which, when selected, willcause a portion of the document being reviewed by a correspondingreviewer to be displayed in the first user interface pane; and providinga third user interface pane adjacent to the second user interface panecomprising a scaled image of the document which, when selected, willcause a portion of the document corresponding to the selected portion ofthe scaled image to be displayed in the first user interface pane. 19.The computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the selectionof a portion of the document in the first user interface pane causes thedisplay of portions of the document other than the selected portion tobe obfuscated in the first user interface pane.
 20. Thecomputer-readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the third userinterface pane comprises a view of one or more sections of the document,and wherein selection of a section of the document in the third userinterface pane causes a portion of the document corresponding to theselected section to be displayed in the first user interface pane.